Land Survey Harrow: What You Need
A topographical land survey in Harrow (HA1 and HA2) maps all natural and man-made features with precise horizontal and vertical positioning — the essential pre-design survey for planning, drainage, and construction projects.
What Is Included in a Topographical Survey
| Feature Type | Specific Items Surveyed | | --- | --- | | Buildings | Footprints, eaves and ridge heights, thresholds, neighbouring structures | | Boundaries | Fences, walls, property lines (where available) | | Ground features | Contours, spot heights, kerbs, surface changes, drainage covers | | Vegetation | Trees (trunk diameter, canopy spread, height), shrubs, water bodies | | Utilities | Visible service markers, manholes, street furniture | | Access | Driveways, paths, gates, access points |
All surveys are referenced to Ordnance Survey National Grid with GPS control.
2025 Costs in Harrow
| Site Size | Cost (ex VAT) | | --- | --- | | Minor survey (small garden) | £300–£600 | | Small residential plot (up to 0.25 acre) | £350–£600 | | Medium site (0.25–1 acre) | £600–£1,200 | | Large or complex site (1–5 acres) | £1,200–£2,500+ | | Harrow range (all sizes) | £450–£4,500+ | | Day rate (8–10 hours including drawings) | £500 |
Factors increasing cost: steep slopes, dense vegetation, water bodies, tight timelines, high accuracy standards.
Standard Deliverables
| Deliverable | Format | | --- | --- | | 2D topographical drawings | AutoCAD DWG or DXF plus PDF | | 3D surface model | CAD (LandXML compatible) | | Contour lines | Included in CAD and PDF | | Spot height data | Included in CAD | | Building elevations | Eaves, ridge, and threshold levels | | Point cloud (if laser scanning used) | E57, RCP, or PTS formats |
All surveys follow RICS specification for Measured Surveys of Land.
When You Need a Land Survey in Harrow
| Project | Land Survey Required? | | --- | --- | | Planning permission | Yes — required by Harrow Council for most developments | | New development | Yes — site layout and drainage design | | House extension | Required for sloping sites or complex boundaries | | Drainage design | Yes — levels and drainage features | | Tree surveys (BS5837) | Yes — tree positions and RPAs | | Garden or landscape design | Yes — accurate ground levels and features |
Timeline
| Stage | Duration | | --- | --- | | Site visit | 1–3 working days for most standard sites | | Drawing delivery | 3–5 working days | | Total | 1–2 weeks from instruction |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What accuracy is achieved on a topographical survey in Harrow?
±10–20mm for ground features. Surveys are tied to Ordnance Survey National Grid with GPS control for accurate positioning.
Q: Do I need a topographical or measured building survey?
A topographical survey covers external land and ground levels. A measured building survey covers internal building dimensions. You may need both for an extension project.
Q: What scale are drawings produced at?
1:200 or 1:500 for planning submissions. Confirm with your architect or Harrow Council planning department.
Q: Can the survey include tree data for BS5837?
Yes — trees are surveyed with trunk diameter, canopy spread, and height. Root Protection Areas (RPAs) can be calculated.
Q: Is the survey georeferenced?
Yes — all surveys are tied to Ordnance Survey National Grid (OSGB36) and Ordnance Datum Newlyn (ODN).